2407 - POLICY FOR NAMING DEPARTMENT ADMINISTERED LANDS AND FACILITIES
ISSUED: February 7, 2008

Commission Policy No. 2407 Dated:  June 12, 1987

POLICY FOR NAMING DEPARTMENT ADMINISTERED LANDS AND FACILITIES

The Department of Natural Resources may, as opportunities exist, enter into a broad spectrum of relationships with the private-sector to include partnerships, sponsorships and the acceptance of donations. The management of such relationships is set forth in Michigan DNR policy 01.05-10 and provides direction on issues of ethics, the selection of appropriate partners, limitations and proportionality in recognizing sponsors, partners or donors.

Natural Resource Commission Policy 2407 – Naming of Department Administered Lands and Facilities, allows the Michigan DNR opportunities to recognize public-sector partners, establishes limitations and delegates certain authority to the Director.

It is the policy of this Department that any offer by the Michigan DNR of any naming rights of any program, product, or property administered by the DNR to any individual, foundation, not-for-profit organization, corporation, or other entity, or whose offer of a donation or partnership stipulates that they be granted naming rights, shall comply with the following.

1. The Director may name or may delegate the naming of programs, products, or properties administered by the DNR, and may authorize the incorporation or attachment of the name of an individual, foundation, nonprofit organization, corporation or other entity to a program, product, or property administered by the Michigan DNR for a defined length of time, generally associated with the term of the partnership or written agreement, but not to exceed twenty-five years.

2. The Michigan DNR will not enter into a partnership or other agreement, or accept a donation that includes a provision that would name, rename or attach a name to:

1. Natural or cultural resources managed by the Michigan DNR, including but not limited to streams, rivers, lakes, waterfalls or other geological features; historic sites or structures or forests;

2. Lands with a current name that reflects the resource;

3. Lands previously named in recognition of an individual;

4. Lands owned by DNR in which there is a legal encumbrance that restricts the Michigan DNR in naming or renaming the land to include, but not be limited to, any deed restriction or funding-source requirement.

3. The naming of a land holding or other property administered by the Michigan DNR in recognition of an individual, foundation, nonprofit organization, corporation or other entity, for a term greater than twenty-five years or in perpetuity, shall be vested with the Natural Resources Commission.

Act No. 248, Public Acts of 2006, eff. July 3, 2006